How to Write With a Dyslexic Audience in Mind
✍ Introduce a little neuro-diversity and accessibility into your writing.
I once got asked why a majority of my stories had so much spacing and emojis?
To cater for dyslexics and people with ADHD was my reply.
“What’s the point?” they responded. “They aren’t going to read it!”
An unbelievable response, now…
According to the NHS, It’s estimated that up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some form of dyslexia on a varying scale.
In addition to this 5 million people are said to have ADHD in the UK.
Therefore catering your stories to meet the needs of neuro-diversity means you will be more accessible as a writer. So, potentially you will reach a wider audience with your stories.
Today, from my personal experience I want to share with you how to write stories and articles to engage with dyslexic and ADHD readers.
What Is Dyslexia & ADHD?
Firstly before we dive into how to write stories that the neuro-diverse community want to read, let’s take a quick look at what dyslexia and ADHD is.
Dyslexia
Have you ever tried to read something that’s written in a different language?
Maybe some of the words looked familiar? Although it may be hard to determine what the sentence structure actually means?
Now, imagine having these issues reading a story in your native language!
Dyslexia is actually an umbrella term for problems not just with written but also the spoken word. Some people may also see words or letters jumbled around or confuse ‘b’ with ‘P’ or ‘J’ with ‘L’.
I can sometimes suffer from letter or word blindness. This is when I simply just can’t picture what that letter or word sounds or looks like.
In terms of your dyslexic readers a big block of text is just going to be off putting.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
With ADHD a person may present with inattention. They may find it hard to finish a task, get bored easily, struggle to pay attention to details, follow instructions or stay engaged in conversations.
Then there is hyperactivity and impulse where a person can talk a lot (and over others), it may be hard to keep still for long periods or they may suddenly wander off during a task to do something else.
If your like me, you’ll have a combination of the 2 to varying degrees. Both dyslexia and ADHD can be on a spectrum. People will experience the conditions differently.
For your readers this means they may be quick to click off your stories or bookmark lots of stories that don’t get read!
Learning Disability or a Super-Power?
Originally viewed as a learning disability growing evidence is showing these conditions are just other ways a brain can be wired. People with dyslexia can be great problem solvers and very creative, coming up with innovative ways to solve issues.
Oral communication, delegation, and seeing the bigger picture are also key skills held by those with dyslexia. Whilst ADHD’ers can show deep empathy and if interested in a subject can focus all that energy in a positive way.
Julie Logan, a professor of entrepreneurship, Cass Business School, in London, believes that around 20% of the UK’s successful entrepreneurs have dyslexia. I think from being a member of many business networks this figure is likely to be higher.
“It’s time we all understand dyslexia properly as a different thinking skill-set, not a disadvantage” — Sir Richard Branson, Ambassadorial President Made By Dyslexia
Famous entrepreneurial dyslexics include Sir Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Charles Schwab, Ingvar Kamprad, Walt Disney, and Steve Jobs to name but a few. As well as being great business owners dyslexics make for great story tellers! Recently LinkedIn added dyslexic thinking to its skillsets.
Dyslexic and ADHD Friendly Stories for Readers
As someone with dyslexia and ADHD, I’d like to share some best practices for connecting and writing with your neuro-diverse readers in mind. Mastering these tips will give you the advantage of making your stories easier on the eye for all.
Write short, simple sentences
Have you ever read a sentence that was so long, that you were lost by the end of it? Or just gave up reading the story altogether as you got bored? I mean get to the point already!
Many dyslexic and ADHD readers have that problem a majority of the time. If you have ADHD for example focus is likely to be impacted. Keep sentences short, sweet, and simple.
Don’t use any unnecessary words. If possible bullet point, especially if listing tips or instructions. Break the article into short and simple steps. For example (and to summarise)…
- Keep sentences short, and simple.
- Keep paragraphs short.
- Make good use of spacing and bullet points — don’t just produce one big block of text!
- Cut out any unnecessary words.
Use images
Dyslexics are visual thinkers. Cater for this…
- Use some colour and more images to keep the interest of both your dyslexic and ADHD readers.
- If writing an explainer article use colourful flow charts and pictograms that are ideal for how-to articles.
- Break up texts with a few emojis, but don’t overdo it!
Headings and structure
Ensure you make good use of headings, sub-headings, and spacing to help the readers navigate through your stories.
Make your headings, sub-headings, and any keywords ‘bold’ for emphasis. Underlined or italicized words can sometimes look as if they are merging in together.
- Bold headings, subtitles, and keywords.
- Do not underline and use italics sparingly.
- Use a plain, evenly spaced font, such as from the sans serif family, i.e. Arial or Verdana, in a 12- or 14-point size.
- Break longer articles up in to a series or use short-form. This ensures more of your story is read.
- If you can change the colour of the background of your blog then use a colour such as an off-white or eggshell colour.
- Avoid green and red/pink, as these colours are difficult for those who have colour vision deficiencies, such as colour blindness.
Check Your Readability
Finally, check the readability of your final draft. I tend to listen to my stories via a screen reader before I press the publish button. On Medium you can now use the ‘Listen’ feature as part of your editing tools!
Use spell and grammar checking software, but this doesn’t always pick things up. Hence why the screen-reader or audio software can be a really helpful resource.
I will not press publish on any article that scores under 75% in terms of readability via the software I use.
- Check the font you are using is compatible with screen readers.
Writing Style
If you can master the style of writing for dyslexics and people with ADHD then a great benefit is your stories will become more eye-catching for all.
- Be concise, Use short, simple sentences in a direct style.
- Use images to support text. Flow charts are ideal for explaining procedures. Pictograms and graphics can help to locate and support
- information in the text.
- Consider using bullet points and numbering rather than continuous prose.
- Avoid double negatives.
- Provide a glossary of abbreviations and jargon.
Writing Stories as a Dyslexic
Don’t be afraid of spelling mistakes
The number of times I have listened to my stories and put them through software only to press publish and then discover a spelling mistake!
The beauty of a majority of writing platforms is the ability to edit! I am honest and upfront to my readers to expect the unexpected when it comes to my writing. To summarise…
- Stop reading your story 100 times over and just press publish!
Ask for feedback
Don’t be afraid to ask for constructive feedback from your readers. We don’t know what we don’t know. Over time feedback will grow you as a writer.
If someone points out you have a comma in the wrong place, for example, take note and say thanks. Try not to get defensive.
Keep positive feedback you receive and when you are having a difficult time reading this back to help boost your motivation.
- Engage your readers by regularly asking for feedback.
- Look for any patterns to the feedback you receive.
Expect inconsistency
As a dyslexic with ADHD, I get good and bad days. My ability to read, spell, speak and focus gets worse when I get sleepy.
Some days I can spell a word and other days I spell that same word wrong! Heck, even in a 1000-word story I can spell the same word right and wrong.
- Expect inconsistency with your writing.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself and know when to take a break.
Be screen reader-friendly
Initially designed for the blind, screen readers are a very helpful tool for dyslexics and ADHD. With my ADHD I find it’s easier to digest a long story if it’s read as I can work on other tasks in the background.
In regards to my dyslexia, I’m better able to retain the information if it’s in audio format.
As a writer, have in mind some people use these, which makes it all the more important to keep sentences, short and simple and avoid abbreviations.
- As previously mentioned ensure your fonts are compatible with screen- readers.
- On Medium you can now listen to stories on the go as the listening feature is available on the app!
Key Takeaways
If you are not making your stories inclusive you are missing out on a whole pool of potential readers. Not just from the Dyslexic and ADHD communities, but also those with other neuro-diverse conditions or problems with their eyesight.
If you take anything away from this today, then it should be this…
- Layout — keep sentences short and simple. Make good use of gaps (white space), headings, subheadings, and bold. Use images and emojis.
- Break up long stories into a series, thus increasing overall read time. As a reader, I tend to bookmark long-form stories and read in intervals, however, this may impact read time! If you break your stories up I’ll read the whole thing in one sitting. Don’t be afraid of writing short-form.
- Ensure you are screen reader and audio software friendly.
References:
https://www.madebydyslexia.org/
ADHD Facts │ UK Statistics (adhdcoaching.org)
Dyslexia friendly style guide — British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
💭 I’d love to read your dyslexic-friendly stories or if you have any additional tips for writing for the neuro-diverse please let me know.
